In 1913, in Berlin, Germany, a young Jewish man. Franz Rosenzweig, had fallen away from Jewish religious practice, like many of his Jewish friends. Some of them had converted to Christianity, and they urged Franz to do likewise. After all, they lived a modern German Christian world, and Judaism was just a relic of a bygone era that held little meaning for them. Franz agreed. He would convert to Christianity. But he felt that he owed it to Judaism to give it one more try. So when the High Holidays came around, he went to a tiny shul for Kol Nidre services.

Last week I was given the opportunity to sit on a panel at the Chicago Board of Rabbis to discuss whether or not to present politics and candidates’ positions from our Bimah on High Holidays. There, I told a story from my childhood: My parents were founding members of a now very prestigious and well known Westchester County, NY synagogue. Once its Rabbi gave a sermon which, in my parents’ eyes, favored one political candidate over another. My parents not only left that Temple, they left the Reform Movement!

On June 11th & 12th, we will celebrate the festival holiday of Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. We conclude the counting of the Omer, and we recognize this as the wheat harvest festival when ancient Israelites brought their bread and first fruits to the Kohanim at the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also celebrated as the day the Israelites received the Torah at Mt. Sinai.

Congregation Etz Chaim has prided itself on being on the forefront of inclusion. The Union for Reform Judaism has charged congregations to become more inclusive to those who have special needs - especially where the religious school is concerned. Although we have always sought to provide a Jewish education for those who have desired to have one, we have stepped up our efforts to live up to this value. In the Chicagoland area, there is only one other congregation that has a designated Inclusion Specialist in their religious school.

The Lifelong Learning Committee is bringing a renowned scholar to Congregation Etz Chaim - Dr. David Ellenson, Rabbi. Not only is Dr. Ellenson well known, respected and regarded in the rabbinical world, he is well known in the scholarly world as well. He currently serves as the leader of Brandeis University’s Schusterman Center for Israel Studies. Prior to that, he was the President of the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, the school from which Rabbi Bob, Rabbi Kamil and I graduated.

Then said the Lord unto Moses: “Behold, I will cause to rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or not.” (Exodus 16:4)

"Who is rich? He who is content with his lot." - In Pirkeh Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers)

Being grateful is a Jewish value. At this time of Thanksgiving, when we gather with family and friends, we offer blessings for what we are grateful for. It is easy to get caught up in the terrible things that are currently happening in our world. But for one day, we surround ourselves with those we love, or at least those we choose to be with, and we offer thanks.